Christmas Catch Up

Christmas Eve

As we were on our way to church the snow flurries began to fall. :) After being in shorts and t-shirts the day before, it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!!! When we got home it was time to open our first gift of the season. Our traditional Christmas Eve present is pajamas. This year's rendition was that much more special...matching pjs for the whole family!!! We're going to have to keep this tradition going as long as the kids will allow it...too fun!!! The kids loved hearing Daddy read Christmas stories by the fire and leaving goodies for St. Nick. It didn't take much convincing that it was bedtime, the Santa tracker showed it all. The kids raced to bed with Santa hats and were out in no time. (If only every night was Christmas Eve!)

Christmas Day

Waking up to jingle bells was a Christmas morning tradition that I grew up with and LOVED so much that we have passed it on to our little ones. Little Miss A was already stirring when the bells began and raced down the stairs. Mr. D, on the other hand, needed to hear the bells for a while before waking up and running down the stairs himself. (Having stairs gives Christmas morning a completely difference experience!!!) Much like last year, opening presents took the ENTIRE morning. Unwrap this, open, assemble, play, repeat. :) It was awesome!!! What an amazing day! We lounged in our matching pj's and just enjoyed the kids, the day and just being a family. With family coming the the following morning, it was the FIRST year that I actually had Christmas put away ON Christmas Day!!! Everything already had a place..thanks to all the new space in the new house. :)

Mr. C. brought Little Miss A the horses she wrote to him about and Mr. D the voice changer that he asked for. This was a Christmas full of horses (18) and babies/equipment for Little Miss A. It was a NOISY Christmas for Mr. D...pretty much everything Mr. D received made noise of some kind or another...not that the little man doesn't make enough noise of his own. :) What an amazing day!!!!

Boxing Day

The day after Christmas brought wonderful guests to the house. My parents and sister and her family!!!! Over the past 3 months EVERY one of my family members have come to visit...how awesome is that?!?! We were SOOOO excited to see everyone. My nephew J has changed a TON since we saw him in June, but is still so sweet and patient with A & D...they sure LOVE their cousin. J...you're the BEST!!!!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Mom got tickets for us to go to this amazing show. J and I used to go all the time before we had the kids, but hadn't been back since. It was the best show we'd seen. Mr. D didn't quite appreciate it though as the Christmas songs we wrapping up, little man began bouncing in seat announcing he was ready to go...it was the middle of the show. Thankfully the pyrotechnics really took off at that point so he at least had more to keep his interest. Although I'm still not sure why the loud music didn't keep his attention by itself. After the show we went downtown for an amazing dinner. It was an awesome night!!!

The following week was full of good eating, walks, runs, more eating, nature trails, playing and even more eating and even an adult night on the town...thanks again J for watching the kids for us!!!! My parents and K & D hadn't really experienced Austin's nightlife and live music scene. A ton of fun...we just wished J wouldn't have fared the night a little better. I guess that just means the clan needs to come back so we can have a re-do. :)